Part 15

When she heard this answer, the proud diamond was ashamed of herself. “Press close to me,” she said, “you are my own sister. I am only more highly polished.”

THE LION AND THE SHEPHERD

Once a lion roaming through the forest trod on a thorn and it stuck in his foot. In great pain he limped out to a shepherd and looked up at him beseechingly. The shepherd gently drew out the thorn. The lion fawned upon him and licked his hand to thank him.

Not long after the shepherd was blamed for a wrong he had not done. The king said he must die. “Throw him to the lions and let him be torn to pieces,” commanded the king.

The king’s officers seized the poor shepherd and threw him into the arena, before the lion’s cage. Out stalked a lion. It was the very one the shepherd had helped. And lo! instead of tearing the shepherd to pieces the noble beast fawned upon him and licked his hand.

The king was amazed. He ordered the shepherd to tell him what it all meant. When he heard he let the shepherd go back to his sheep and the lion back to the free forest.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BALLOON

One night a gorgeous balloon when his candle was lighted found himself beside a dull brown acorn.

“What a stupid dolt you are to stay here where you cannot be seen!” he cried, as someone sent him up into the air.

Higher and higher he mounted above the roofs of the houses. “Perhaps he will reach the stars,” said the acorn, gazing up after him.

Just then the balloon turned giddy with pride. He reeled, caught fire, and his brief splendor was over.

Years after, in the spot where the acorn had lain that night, a great oak stood up toward heaven and spread his branches wide over the earth.

THE END